College

The Post University men's soccer team reached another milestone Tuesday during its season of unprecedented success as the Eagles cracked into the Top 10 of the Division II national poll at No. 9 this week.

The highest Post had ever been ranked before in its history was No. 12 in the country during the second week of this season after winning at then-No. 7 Southern New Hampshire and Franklin Pierce.

The Eagles promptly got knocked out of the poll when they lost their home opener to Chestnut Hill, albeit with Post's All-America forward Joe Baccielo sitting out the game. Since that misstep, their only loss, they have slowly worked their way back into prominence.

They were ranked No. 13 in the country last week and posted a quality overtime win over the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference's second-place team, Philadelphia, on Sunday.

"We were really excited about moving into the Top 10," Coach Ted Haley said. "I knew after we got the result on Sunday that it was a possiblity. Going into the season, getting into the Top 10 for the first time in school history was one of our goals. So it is very rewarding to see the work pay off and come to fruittion with us being recognized."

Haley attributed the success to a senior class led by Baccielo and All-America left defensive back, Kevin Ipina.

"This senior class is a real special group," Haley said. "They have worked incredibly hard to get this program to where it is. We have made progress each year, individually and as a unit. What we are seeing now as a result is the ability to go into games with the confidence that even when we aren't at our best we can compete with everyone and think we have a good shot to win every match."

The team is currently 10-1 and has won eight straight matches. The Eagles have outscored their opponents, 24-4, this season as Baccielo has scored a team-high eight goals and Ipina has led a defense that has combined with senior keeper Andre Lindsay to stymie opponents. Lindsay has a 0.35 goals against average and an .899 save percentage.

Other seniors have contributed, as well.

"Jean Louis Cadet is one of our captains, and he is an incredible talent," Haley said. "His soccer I.Q. is probably tops on our team. He could make an excellent coach at some point, because he reads the game so well. When we get a scouting report together, he is the one who really takes it all in and executes it really well. He is a big part of the mix along with Joey (Baccielo), Kevin (Ipina), Ani (Lekaj) and Krzysztof (Giezek)."

"We have other players like Jose Monterroza in the middle," Haley said. "He is a senior who is extremely talented and brings us to another level. Jon Dzurilla has been starting on defense and doing a really good job, and we have others who have been solid role players."

The program seems to be at an ideal point right now with talented veterans perfectly complemented by younger players who have made a tremendous impact. Sophomore Francisco Sastre has developed into one of the most dangerous forwards in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, Raphael Moura was the league's Rookie of the Year last year and junior Terrell Whitting of Naugatuck has fit very well into the mix.

Still, Haley told his players Tuesday that he doesn't believe they have played their best soccer yet.

"We want to make sure we are getting better every day and that we peak at the right time," Haley said. "We have another level or another gear we can put ourselves into. That is something that is going to be fun to watch, because we are playin well, but there are still things we continue to work on so I think we can get better."

Post is hosting the nation's No. 1-ranked team, LIU-Post, but Haley has told his players they can't get too far ahead of themselves. He wants them totally focused for today's game at Bentley. He admits he is very cognizant himself of the fact that the Eagles are playing the top-ranked team next week.

"Part of my mentality going into our scheduling is to play the best and see how much quality you have," Haley said. "Hopefully we can keep building on what we have. We were up to No. 12, and then we lost and they dropped us from the poll for a while. Hopefully we can stay here now and keep moving up the ladder."

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